When he landed in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania on January 30, 2022, Fabien Ourega was immediately "seized by the intense cold".
"I had never known that," smiles the 29-year-old striker who had signed a two-year contract (1 plus 1) at Zalgiris Vilnius.
Then in difficulty in Orléans (National) after three seasons in L2 at Paris FC and Sochaux, Ourega completely revived his career thanks to his transfer to Lithuania.
“It's the best choice I could have made, I don't regret anything.
Going abroad is always a bet, there is an element of risk, but it was kind of my last chance.
I didn't want to stay in the spiral of the National player and I knew that here there would also be the European Cup, ”he explains.
"I never gave up"
With Zalgiris Vilnius, Ourega, who played in the CFA (4th division) in Drancy just over four years ago, has indeed discovered the preliminaries of the Champions League.
"Me, I'm a bit of a dreamer," he smiles.
But if I had been told that I was going to play in the Champions League when I was at Drancy, I would not have believed it.
But it shows that in football, anything is possible.
I come from below, I had very difficult times after my visits to Le Havre and Virton.
I stopped football for a year and a half.
I only signed my first professional contract when I was 25 at Paris FC.
But I never gave up and I am rewarded today.
»
Fabien Ourega, number 92 celebrates his goal in the Champions League with the supporters.
Icon sport Bildbyran / Icon Sport
After eliminating FC Balkani (Kosovo), Zalgiris Vilnius achieved a real feat by winning against Malmö (1-0 and 2-0).
Author of a sumptuous goal in the first leg, the Parisian has become a real hero in Vilnius.
“This goal is by far the best memory of my career.
It will remain etched in my memory, it was an unforgettable moment given the challenge of the match.
In addition, it was a Top Goal and there was a great atmosphere in our stadium with the supporters.
On his return to Sweden, Ourega was unable to face his friend from the 93 pitches, Mahamé Siby.
The former Bobigny midfielder, author of a big season at Paris FC last year, who signed this summer in Malmö, suffered a serious hip injury three days before the reunion.
“I was sad and disgusted for him,” sighs Ourega.
Behind the scenes of the unforgettable evening at home vs Malmohttps://t.co/j1ZB1NJXuV
— FK Žalgiris Vilnius (@fkzalgiris) July 23, 2022
This Tuesday, he will face the Norwegian club FK Bodø / Glimt in the return match of the 3rd preliminary round of the Champions League after the debacle (5-0) in the first leg.
“It was a day off.
We are going to play this match but we are already planning for the Europa League play-offs.
We will play the loser of Dynamo Zagreb-Ludogorets.
We have already marked the history of Lithuanian football by reaching this 3rd round but we hope to do even better.
No team from the Lithuanian championship has yet participated in the group stages of a European Cup.
It would therefore be historic for the club and the country.
»
Coming without his family and his two children (4 and 6 years old), Fabien Ourega has adapted well to Lithuania.
Financially, he earns more than in France thanks to the absence of charges.
“Of course, I make sacrifices at the family level.
But I am in a good club which is respected.
I have always been paid on time.
Whether in the city or in the stadiums, I have never experienced any problems with racism.
The people are welcoming, warm.
Many speak English.
Vilnius is the capital, a beautiful city where there are many things to do.
I feel good there even if I'm more of a homebody.
I am often with another Frenchman, Joël Bopesu, who helped me a lot when I arrived.
»
"You have to be mentally strong to succeed abroad"
Even at more than 2,000 km, he misses nothing of the news of French football, L1, L2, National, National 2... "I have all the channels, I'm still on the Internet, I watch my old clubs, the Ile-de-France football.
Here in Lithuania, the number one sport is basketball.
The stadiums are quite small, there are 2,000 spectators on average for a normal match.
Me, I am in the best club in the country, therefore superior in terms of infrastructure to what I have known.
The 2-3 big teams are L2 level.
The rest is more National.
But Lithuanian football is progressing.
It's a fairly engaging game.
»
O 1º gol da vitória do Žalgiris Vilnius faith marcado por 🇫🇷@OuregaF de cabeça, após cruzamento de 🇭🇷Petar Mamić.
https://t.co/eNNyiMuZgg
— Futebol Lithuanian 🇱🇹🇧🇷 (@FutebolLituano) August 6, 2022
On Saturday, he scored his third goal in A Lyga (D1 Lithuania which ends in November) in the victory against Banga (2-1).
“I have often been criticized for my lack of stats, I try to be more decisive.
In Lithuania, I am fulfilled.
Football is everywhere, there are always things to take no matter where you play.
When the doors are closed in France, do not hesitate to dare to leave.
»
“Me, I would advise all those who struggle in France to try the adventure, he ends.
We have nothing to lose, at worst we can come back to National or N2… But when you are a foreigner, you have to be efficient.
You have to be strong mentally to succeed abroad far from home, family and landmarks.
After the ups and downs I've had in my career, I am…”